Wedding Blog

In November I surprised my girlfriend by taking her back to the place we first met and asking her to marry me. As for so many other couples, that moment was the start of the planning process toward our wedding day, which will be at Launcells Barton on 11th May 2019.

With so many decisions to be made along the way it can seem daunting at first, but fortunately for us one of the most important was also one of the easiest; choosing Launcells Barton.

When we first started our search we quickly realised there were an incredible range of wedding venues across both Devon and Cornwall; country barns, large manor houses, outdoor venues, by the beach venues – the list almost seems never-ending! But as soon as we visited Lara and Matt at Launcells Barton our minds were immediately made up. Here are just a few reasons we decided this little gem near the north Cornwall coast was the one for us.

The best of both worlds

We’d always pictured ourselves being married in church but didn’t necessarily like the idea of making what is sometimes the long trip from the ceremony to the reception venue, particularly given that many of the guests would be coming from London and the East of the country. Our faces lit up when we realised that this venue was just a stone’s throw (and I mean literally 100 meters) from one of the prettiest and historic churches in the county. As we’ve had our banns read over recent weeks we’ve also found that it’s filled each weekend with some of the friendliest and helpful people you’re likely to meet.

A real community feel

As Lara walked us around the venue on our first viewing, one of the things we really loved was the sense of community they’ve created; everything is nestled nicely together. There’s the two bars, the reception barn, the mill barn, the garden courtyard and stunning manor house perfectly planned and set out to ensure guests are never milling in one space for the entire day (something we had found as wedding guests ourselves over the years that we didn’t really like).

The location

Launcells Barton ticked all of the boxes in terms of a location for our wedding. At how many places can say you’re near the sea but still surrounded by beautifully unspoilt and wooded Cornish countryside? Many of the guests will be travelling from far and wide, so the fact that there’s easy access to the venue from no matter where you’re coming from; Ascot or Ilfracombe, was a big bonus for us. As was the fact that there’s an amazing range of local accommodation within 10 minutes, meaning that many are able to make a real weekend of it!

A little bit of passion

We knew that the owners of the venue would play a big part in not only the wedding day but the journey in getting there, so for us it was kind of important that we really liked them. Matt and Lara have a clear passion for the venue, and everything that they’ve created there in recent years, which really comes across when you first meet them. They’ve been incredibly helpful in hooking us up with some of the best local suppliers, and tapping into their knowledge has definitely made planning life a lot easier!

If you’re currently planning your own wedding then this venue is definitely worth a visit!

Back on a beautiful Autumnal day in September, Alex and Sarah celebrated their wedding surrounded by friends and family and brought so much of their personality and love of the countryside into their day!

The day before Sarah and Alex set to work bringing the Reception Barn to life with the help of their florist Ruby and the Wolf, who put the finishing touches to the Barn and Church in the morning of their wedding, making sure eventing looked perfect. The whole barn looked magical with an incredible flower arch and tables full of candles, greenery and soft pale flowers to give simple touches. The couple also chose a backdrop behind their top table, with rustic love letters and hanging candle globes.

The morning of the wedding started with Sarah getting ready and relaxing with friends and family in the house. Hair and make up was perfected by recommended suppliers Hannah Woodgates Hair Design and Lizzy Couch Make Up. Sarah look breathtaking in a simple long sleeved dress.

Alex and his friends gathered in the Snug bar, before heading off to the church to welcome their guests.

As Sarah made her way into the church with her long train floating behind her, she looked sensational!

After the ceremony, guests made their way back to Launcells Barton for the welcome reception, with the newlyweds and their wedding party taking some time for photos, while guests enjoyed canapés and drinks.

It was then time for guests to take their seats in the Reception Barn and us to announce the happy couple through their beautiful floral arch, into their meal!

After their meal, one of Sarah’s Bridesmaids drove the happy couple to catch the sunset in her pea green Defender, which I was a little bit smitten with!

Wild Bake Pizza set up for the evening and guests mingled, before welcoming Sarah and Alex to the dance floor, for their first dance as Husband and Wife!

A few words from Sarah-“Love isn’t always perfect. It isn’t a fairy tale of story book. And it doesn’t always come easy. Love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on and never letting go. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define and impossible to live without. Love is work, but most of all, love is realising that every hour, every minute and every second was worth it because you did it together. Alex and I were saying ‘I do’ not just for that day, but for the tomorrow and the always that we are so fortunate to be able to share together. To all couples who are about to say I do, treasure that very previous moment and enjoy every hour, every minute and every second. Thank you Lara and Matt for all that you’ve done to support our love.”

These beautiful images are thanks to one of our recommended suppliers Pete Cox Photography. I think his natural and soft style of photography has captured their day perfectly!

It was a privilege to be a part of your special day Sarah and Alex and see how much you both mean to one another. We wish you nothing but happiness and best wishes as you start your new life in Cornwall as Husband and Wife!

If you’re recently engaged, we’d firstly like to say huge congratulations from all of us here at Launcells Barton! Starting a new year and planning a wedding will be an incredibly exciting time for you both, so to make sure it’s plain sailing all the way we’ve put together a few things that you should and need to be thinking about when starting on your journey to the big day! Here’s where to get started with those plans…

Selecting your venue…

The first thing you need to decide is the type of wedding you really want. Are you picturing a beautiful Georgian manor house for the bridal party? Perhaps a traditional barn in which to say ‘I do’ or a reception venue that can hold up to 200 guests? Do you love the countryside or the coast? These are all things we’re able to offer our couples.

Once you know what you’re looking for you can start the search for a venue that ticks all of the boxes for you and your finance. Without the venue you can’t decide the date, so until you find that perfect place you’ll not be able to move onto the decisions you’ll come to make on caterers, florists, bands and bouquets!

Getting the date right!

Once you’ve found the venue of your dreams, you’ll need to decide on a date; so what time of the year do you want to get married and are there any other significant dates that you need to avoid? Is gran’s 90th birthday that weekend? Are you wanting to invite lots of couples with children? Are they travelling from afar and needing great local accommodation?

Also consider the weather; whilst we hope the skies are blue on a wedding day sometimes the great British weather will have other ideas! So is your venue going to be ideal no matter what the weather? We’re able to welcome couples all-year-round and quickly change plans as soon as the skies change – arrival drinks in our beautiful courtyard can quickly be moved into our 19th century stone built Mill Barn, safe from even the harshest of storms and with all of our buildings set close together rain needn’t ever be a worry at Launcells!

Work with people you really like and connect with!

Your wedding is going to be one of the most important and special days of your life so make sure you work with people that you like and that you trust to make it the day you want it to be. Your venue will play a large part in the planning of the day and we’re incredibly passionate here about making sure we’re as helpful as possible; answering questions, making recommendations on the local suppliers, even measuring the beams of the barn so the lighting and floristry is just right!

Don’t buy your own booze!

It can seem like a great idea; a weekend in France sampling some of the continent’s finest wines and then bringing them back for guests to enjoy on your wedding day. With our experience we can safely say that the reality never quite lives up to the idea, so if there’s a managed bar at your venue we’d always recommend you go with that! The reason? It’s far less hassle for you, it becomes more cost effective and saves you from a complete headache and hidden corkage charges!

We offer all of our couples an extensive range of drinks packages – so no matter if you’d like spring-time Pimms or Christmas mulled wine there’s something that will have your taste buds tingling at any time of the year!

Think ahead!

We know that there’s plenty to think of which is why we provide each of our couples with a handy guide of things they need to be doing and when. You may, or may not be aware that you have to give at least 28 full days’ notice of your marriage to your local register office. If this vital step is forgotten, the rest of your plans could come undone and they’re certainly easy to miss so we’ll always make sure you’re on the path to a stress-free wedding day that you’ll remember for a long time.

If you’d like to arrange a viewing at our exclusive use venue in Cornwall then please give us a call on 01288 352352 and we’d be happy to arrange a time for you to visit.

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year, with the leaves starting to change colour and the days getting slightly shorter, so candles and lighting really create such a beautiful atmosphere. What better example of just how gorgeous a wedding in Autumn can be, is Sophie and Chris’ wedding from October.

Sophie got ready in the Bridal Suite with her Bridesmaids and family around her, before heading off to their church ceremony just outside Launceston. Just as Sophie was taking her seat in the car, I heard a tiny pop from the strap of her dress. Knowing that there wasn’t much we could do at that moment- otherwise she was going to be very late for her ceremony! I told her it was all fine and waved them off. When they arrived back from their ceremony, with sewing box at the ready, I put a couple of stitches to secure her dress, to make sure she could dance the night away later! Little things like this happen at every wedding, but don’t stress or worry, you’re marrying the person you love, so just enjoy your day and no will ever notice!

After the ceremony everyone made their way into the Mill Barn for drinks and Canapés, before the newlyweds were welcomed with cheers by all their guests.

After the drinks reception, we invited guests to take their seats in the Reception Barn, which had been decorated beautifully with a large hanging flower wreath on the centre beam, with autumnal reds, greens and purples adorning every table by Odds and Buds, along with their favourite gin bottles, that they had collected holding long candles lighting up the barn.

As their guests found their seats, Chris and Sophie spent a bit of time together before being announced in as newlyweds!

The barn was lit up magically, as the day became duskier for their wedding breakfast and speeches.

As the couples band set up, everyone went outside for a group photo and a mingle, before Chris and Sophie cut the cake and had their first dance as Man and Wife!

A few words from Sophie– “We fell in love with Launcells Barton from the moment we visited, and it was the most confident choice we made for our wedding together. We cannot thank Lara & Matt enough, it was the best day!”

What a wonderful day to be a part of, with such welcoming friends and family! We wish Sophie and Chris all the best for the future as they start married life together!

Some brides will have had their big day planned out in their mind for many months, or even years in advance. For them, the table plans, the flowers and the bridesmaid dresses will be things they’ve already considered and concluded on. Decisions which have already been made will help everything to quickly fall into place.

But what if you’re not one of those people? What if the whole planning process leaves you feeling a little daunted? The first thing to say is that you’re definitely not alone and if you’re wanting to get married here at Launcells Barton then Matt and I are here to help you every step of the way – from your first viewing to your first dance. Our job is to make things as simple and enjoyable as possible for you as a couple. We always want to make sure that your wedding day is all about the both of you celebrating, surrounded by friends, family and all of your loved ones.

When it comes to having a wedding with us our venue is a complete blank canvas. There are so many options that it really can become whatever you want it to be. If you feel like you’re unsure or can’t decide on what sort of wedding you’d like visually, you’re in luck as there’s plenty of places to gain a little inspiration….

Take a look at our real weddings

We’ve had some absolutely amazing weddings here over the past few years; from tractor rides into the sunset to rustic floristry and lights adorning the beams of our reception barn. Take a look at what other couples have created and find the things you like; put your own twist on them. Make them your own.

We regularly add real weddings to our blog and our Instagram, so if you’re not already a regular reader or following fanatic be sure to start taking a look.

Online inspiration

Aside from our own, there are plenty of other websites to get some planning ideas from. Blogs such as Rock My Wedding regularly feature new styles, features and ideas, so make sure you check them out and see if any take your fancy!

Wedding magazines

Although 83% of planning and wedding research is now done online, there is certainly still a place for print. Magazines such as Wed Magazine can be a real source of inspiration for brides across Devon and Cornwall so pick up a copy and start flicking through those glossy pages!

Just ask us…

When you work with a venue they become a big part of your wedding journey. We want our couples to feel like they can ask us anything, so if at any time you feel like you’re not sure if something is going to work or need a little guidance, then just ask. We’ve probably seen it before and can point you in the right direction!

If you have any questions about planning your wedding at our exclusive use wedding venue feel free to give us a call on 01288 352352 and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

We’ve carefully designed Launcells Barton to be great no matter what the weather and we’re proud to be a wedding venue for all seasons. If the sun is shining, you can enjoy welcome drinks in our stunning courtyard and even get married in the walled garden. If the heavens open and the rain arrives you can enjoy drinks in our rustic bar and 19th century barn. There’ll definitely never be any moments where you’re hunched under an umbrella waiting for blue sky!

So when you can get married at any time of the year, which season do you go for? Here’s our quick guide to help you decide on when your date will be…

Spring

Spring is undoubtedly one of the prettiest times of the year. With flowers blossoming and trees around the grounds budding this really is a great time to be getting married. With warmer days hopefully with us by April and May, you can enjoy drinks in the courtyard before marrying in our beautiful 19th century Mill Barn which can seat up to 160 guests.

Don’t worry if there’s some inclement weather around though, as we can quickly change plans and serve your guests with their drinks in the dry and warm confines of our barn.

It’s then just a few meters to our purpose built reception barn, complete with its own bar and our staff ready to pour you a drink!

Summer

If you’ve always dreamt of being married outside, then take advantage of our walled garden and the summer sunshine to make it a reality. With everything in bloom and the surrounding countryside bathed in greens, the photo opportunities are absolutely stunning. There are also plenty of areas for your guests to spend their time outside enjoying it all – from the courtyard to the garden, they’ll leave feeling like they’ve had a perfect day – just as you will too!

Autumn

For some, Autumn is their favourite time of the year. There’s a crispness in the air, the countryside is covered in shades of red, oranges and autumnal tones. Now is the perfect time to have that rustic wedding you always longed for. As with our spring weddings, we’re able to quickly adapt no matter what the weather brings and this is why we’re often popular at this time of year.

Winter

A crisp winter’s day is something special; you could even say it injects a little bit of magic into a wedding day. We can’t promise you snow but we can offer you heated barns to ensure your guests are kept warm and happy, mulled wine and the perfect package to make your winter wedding a reality.

If you have any questions about planning your wedding at our exclusive use wedding venue, no matter what time of the year, feel free to give us a call on 01288 352352 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

As the colder days set in and the days become shorter, we’re looking back at the long hot summer we enjoyed in July to warm us all up! And what better way then reminiscing over the gorgeous rustic wedding that saw Katie and Charlie become man and wife under the open rafters of the Mill Barn.

Katie and Charlie traveled down from Worcestershire with all their friends and family to celebrate their wedding here at Launcells Barton, as the Cornish Countryside holds a special place in their hearts.

Their day started with them both getting ready in the house and their friends and family making sure that they didn’t accidentally run into each other in the corridors!

It was soon time for their guests to start arriving and Charlie to make his way to the Mill Barn and wait for his Bride’s arrival!

The Mill Barn was styled simply with logs entwined with flowers lining the aisle.

Looking stunning in an off the shoulder lace gown, Katie then made her way to the Mill Barn, ready to walk down the aisle with her Bridesmaids.

After personal readings from friends and family, Katie and Charlie said their vows to one another and sealed them with a kiss.

Everyone was then welcomed outside for welcome drinks, while Katie and Charlie took a moment for it all to sink in!

Katie and Charlie were welcomed in the walled garden by their guests covering them with confetti, but at the end of the path waiting for them, was Katie’s mum who had organised a surprise release of doves, to celebrate the occasion!

The Bride and Groom mingled with guests while they enjoyed canapés, drinks and live acoustic music in the courtyard.

We then announced all their guests to make their way into the Reception Barn to take their seats for their wedding breakfast. The couple and their friends and family styled the venue the day before with simple touches and fairy lights.

While everyone was taking their seats, Katie and Charlie took the chance to go off with their photographer and have a bit of time.

It was then time to announce Katie and Charlie in to join their friends and family in the Reception Barn, for their wedding breakfast and speeches. Guess who’s coming to Dinner catered the whole day and everyone told me how fantastic the food and service was during the day!

Guests then mingled outside, while their band set up ready for the couples first dance and cutting of the cake by Claire’s Sweet Temptation!

Katie and Charlie took a minute to themselves to take in the day, while their band “Over the Threshold” kept everyone entertained, before Katie and Charlie joined their guests again.

A few words for the beautiful Bride- “We always knew we had chosen the right venue for our wedding from the moment we saw it, but on the day even our wildest dreams were exceeded. Launcells Barton is a truly stunning venue, from the barns to the beautiful house. Being able to use the venue for the whole weekend and have our closest friends stay with us really added something special to our wedding weekend. The team at Launcells were all so wonderful with their fun and professional manner and really looked after every one of our guests. Lara especially was incredible on the day ensuring everything ran smoothly and on time, she was also definitely a calming presence to a nervous and stressed bride!”

It was Tom Frosts’ first wedding photographing here at Launcells Barton and I think we can all agree he did an incredible job capturing the couples special day!

All the team at Launcells Barton wish you all the happiness in the world Katie and Charlie. You were a pleasure to work with, with your relaxed and easy going approach to everything and we wish you nothing but the best of luck for the future!

Getting married may be something you’ve been thinking about and planning in your mind for many years. It will ultimately be one of the biggest and most special days of your lives so you’ll undoubtedly want every moment to be as perfect as possible. With so much to do and so many things to consider, you certainly wouldn’t be the first bride or groom to feel a little stressed or perhaps even overwhelmed when it comes to planning your nuptials.

So how do you keep on top of everything, whilst ensuring you remain level-headed and calm throughout? Have a read through my top tips which I hope will help you to enjoy yourselves in the run up to saying ‘I do’….

Stick to a checklist

If you’re planning to have your wedding at Launcells Barton we’re here to help you every step of the way. Your choice of venue will often be one of the biggest and earliest decisions you make and will also guide some of the others later on in the process.

It’s one you want to get right, so make sure that you find somewhere that feels like home and has a team that you know you can rely on to support you. These are the two cornerstones of what we do here; we want people to feel like the place is their own and that we’re here to help make your day everything you always wanted it to be.

We’ve created an easy to follow checklist for you to look at here but it’s always worth having your own; whether it’s on your phone notes, a spreadsheet or a document, tick those items off as you go to make sure you never miss a beat.

Good relationships with suppliers

Using great suppliers makes your wedding planning that much easier. We’re lucky to work with a fantastic and experienced array of suppliers; from caterers and crockery providers to entertainment and events.

If you’re unsure of who you should or could be using when you get wed at Launcells Barton then let us know and we can put you in touch with some of the most talented and helpful suppliers we know.

Reach out to loved ones

You may have liked the idea of a DIY wedding in the beginning, but once reality sets in and you realise you have 150 favours, confetti cones and place settings to make – your optimism may start to fade. If you need some help, ask for it. Many hands make light work and by getting some support from your closest friends and family, tasks will be completed faster and with far less stress!

Look after yourself

The last thing you want is to be walking down the aisle feeling completely drained with dark circles under your eyes! Be sure to keep hydrated and still get regular sleep. After a long day visiting venues, speaking to florists and drawing up your table plan, why not relax in a hot bath and unwind!

Put in time together

It is quite common for wedding planning to take over your lives, with all of your free time together as a couple being used to work through your checklist. Be sure to put down your laptop occasionally and have time together away from anything wedding related. No matter if it’s a weekend spent on the moors or an afternoon in a spa, never feel guilty – you deserve it!

Don’t stress about the small things

None of your guests are going to know every little detail of your day, so if something is forgotten, slightly out of place or needs to change, try not to worry as no one will ever notice and neither will you!

If you have any questions about planning your wedding at our exclusive use wedding venue feel free to give us a call on 01288 352352 and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

For most people the photography will be a really important part of your wedding. You’ll have spent countless hours planning your big day, from speaking with suppliers to researching online, so naturally after going to so much effort, you’ll want to be able to preserve great memories for years to come!

This is where your wedding photographer comes in as it’s their job to capture the romance and tell your story. You will also have a unique opportunity for the both of you to have some beautiful shots of you together. It’s very common for couples to plan in some time to leave your guests in safe hands and go off with just your photographer to have a couples shoot. This allows you to enjoy each other’s company for a short while, before the party gets started. What makes this easier for the photographer is if your venue has some gorgeous backdrops, something which our venue is always praised for! We’re blessed with stunning grounds and historic buildings, which make for truly gorgeous photos.

Let’s take a closer look at some of our iconic spots which are perfect for a couples shoot….

The Manor House
We have a few options for where you can hold your ceremony here at our exclusive use venue, depending on your preference and numbers. Some couples choose the Manor House, which can hold up to 20 people and is perfect for intimate weddings. However, if you plan to have more guests but have fallen in love with the elegant design and Georgian architecture, you can hold your ceremony elsewhere but still use the house for your couples shoot, something many like to make the most of. It boasts a stunning regal façade, window seats overlooking the garden, gorgeous staircases and an abundance of original features, all of which are perfect for setting the scene.

The grounds
The beauty of our venue is as much about the interior as it is the exterior.
To paint you a picture, we’re set in the idyllic and leafy countryside and our grounds are brimming with carefully tended seasonal blooms. Our tree-lined driveway is always a favourite spot, which you can see in the photo above, as well as the walled garden and custom-built arbour. The time of day and year will make a difference, so this is something to consider as each bring different opportunities. The winter sun setting over the hills is always incredibly romantic, and you can see the rolling Atlantic waves in the distance!

A tractor ride
Something which has become increasingly popular amongst our couples is to go for a tractor ride around the grounds! Not only is this a little different, it gives the pair of you some time to be with each other away from everyone else, it’s really good fun and the photos as a result are definitely some for the album!

Local beaches
Although you will be spoilt for choice throughout our venue, we’re lucky to be just minutes from some of the best beaches on the north coast, so if you love the idea of photos by the sea, this is certainly possible and always worth it.

We hope this has inspired you and that it has helped you to visualise the beauty and opportunity our venue brings. If you have any questions, please do get in touch with our friendly team on 01288 352352.

Are you wanting to exchange your vows at the altar, surrounded by friends, family and loved ones? If a church wedding has always been a part of the plans for your big day, then we’re able to offer something truly unique at Launcells Barton.

Our venue is situated just a short walk from the beautiful Parish Church of St Swithin’s, once described by Sir John Betjeman as the ‘least spoilt church in Cornwall’. Being this close brings with it a whole host of benefits for our couples wanting to have the church wedding they’ve always dreamt of without the logistics of booking a venue far from the first part of their day.

Here are just a few key parts of your wedding day…

The Parish Church of St Swithin’s

For those wanting an idyllic and romantic church surrounded by green Cornish countryside, St Swithin’s Church is the perfect home for your wedding ceremony. The building, which dates back to the late 15th century is nestled into the surrounding countryside and filled with intricately carved bench ends, Georgian boxed pews and a huge collection of encaustic Barnstaple tiles, giving it a traditional and unique feel.

Wake up in a luxury manor house

Waking up in our lovingly restored country house on the morning of your wedding is a wonderful way to start the day for any bride. With its distinctive regal façade and large light rooms with high ceilings, the house if packed full of traditional features including a priest hole in the bridal suite that dates back to the dissolution of the monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII!

Once you’re ready you’ll need not worry about transport as it’s just a matter of minutes to get down to the church and begin your walk down the aisle to your waiting groom.

Make your way to the reception

If you’ve got guests coming from far and wide, or perhaps not from Cornwall who are unfamiliar with the local area, the logistics of getting everyone from the church to the reception venue can become something of a challenge so you’ll be pleased to hear that they’ll be able to join you on the short walk to our Mill.

Your reception

You’ll be able to enjoy your welcome drinks in our beautiful Mill, or if the sun is shining, these will be served just outside to make the most of the weather. You will then move on to our brand new and purpose-built Reception Barn, which has been designed to complement the original house and surrounding area. It’s light, airy and open plan layout makes it great for larger weddings with seating for up to 200 guests. It’s the perfect place to dance the night away and to use as a real blank canvas when it comes to decorations and really making it your own. It of course comes with its own bar which we’ll staff for you so all you need to worry about is having a great time with your guests.

Our Mill Barn is able to offer something a little different; this 19th century stone built barn has beautifully exposed beams and large French doors which if you’re lucky to have a sunny day, allow light to pour into the open plan area which will seat 180 of your nearest and dearest. There’s also a rustic bar for your guests to enjoy!

If you are currently planning a church wedding, there are a number of criteria set by The Church of England which need to be met before your wedding day. For more information on this and booking the church please get in touch with St Swithin’s Church directly.

If you’re looking at wedding venues in Cornwall and you would like to discuss your big day with us give us a call on 01288 352352 or email hello@launcellsbarton.co.uk.